Author: Detroit Free Press Online

GM invests in nickel and cobalt operation in Australia

In its ongoing effort to secure the materials needed to make batteries for electric vehicles, General Motors is investing in a metals operation in Australia. On Tuesday, GM said it will make a strategic investment in Queensland Pacific Metals of Australia to secure a supply of nickel and cobalt, both critical to making EV batteries.… Continue reading GM invests in nickel and cobalt operation in Australia

Drivers will love these new features on VW’s first US-made electric vehicle

CHATTANOOGA — Any day now, the first U.S.-made Volkswagen electric vehicle will roll out of a $4-billion-plus plant located on 1,400 acres just outside this small mid-southern city. VW’s American dealers have been selling ID4 electric SUVs for a year and a half, but they’ve been imported from Germany. Starting with the 2023 model year… Continue reading Drivers will love these new features on VW’s first US-made electric vehicle

Beefed up electric VW will support Tennessee Valley Authority’s drone surveys

The Tennessee Valley Authority is at it again. The 89-year-old federally owned electric utility, which changed the lives of millions in the 1930s through flood control and also aided in World War II efforts, plans to convert its fleet of 1,200 light- and medium-duty vehicles from gasoline and diesel power to electricity by 2030. One… Continue reading Beefed up electric VW will support Tennessee Valley Authority’s drone surveys

GM’s new business unit will help people mitigate power outages

General Motors is announcing a new business unit called GM Energy that will offer energy management products as the automaker expands into other businesses such as electric commercial delivery vans with its BrightDrop business and self-driving taxis with its subsidiary Cruise in San Francisco. GM said Tuesday GM Energy will consist of two new products:… Continue reading GM’s new business unit will help people mitigate power outages

Michigan suspends Novi car dealership Carvana’s license citing ‘imminent harm’ to public

The Michigan Department of State has suspended the license of the Carvana dealership in Novi for “imminent harm to the public,” a claim Carvana calls “baseless.” In a media release late last week, the state said Carvana LLC, owned by Paul Breaux and located off of Novi Road near I-96, committed several alleged violations of… Continue reading Michigan suspends Novi car dealership Carvana’s license citing ‘imminent harm’ to public

2023 Lincoln Corsair adds hands-free highway driving, new colors

Lincoln’s best-selling vehicle gets significant upgrades for 2023, including hands-free passing for Lincoln’s ActiveGlide hands-free highway driving assistant. The compact Corsair SUV also adds a big new touch screen and the latest version of Ford’s Sync 4 infotainment system, which includes the ability to receive repairs and new features through over-the-air software updates. Lincoln’s claims… Continue reading 2023 Lincoln Corsair adds hands-free highway driving, new colors

2022 Maybach S580 is the car for when a mere Mercedes won’t do

Mercedes-Benz, justifiably renowned for building luxurious and advanced vehicles for going on 140 years, recently announced it will trim its lineup radically, dropping “low-margin” vehicles so it could concentrate on developing expensive new technologies, primarily electric vehicles. This was a classic example of corporate victim-blaming. Mercedes didn’t add those vehicles — the compact A-class sedan… Continue reading 2022 Maybach S580 is the car for when a mere Mercedes won’t do

Ford’s Maverick pickup selling fast, delivering big for Ford in 3rd quarter

Ford Motor Co. experienced a third-quarter sales upswing in the U.S., recovering from supply chain and delivery issues in previous months, according to sales data released Tuesday. The company reported a 16% jump in total sales to 464,674 vehicles from July through September a year ago, with a 4% increase in truck sales and a… Continue reading Ford’s Maverick pickup selling fast, delivering big for Ford in 3rd quarter

GM adds former Tesla, Lyft executive Jonathan McNeill to board

General Motors has added former Tesla and Lyft executive Jonathan McNeill to its board of directors. In a news release, GM noted McNeill’s credentials as an entrepreneur and venture capital investor. He co-founded and is CEO of DVx Ventures, “a venture firm focused on creating and scaling breakthrough businesses that will have a positive impact… Continue reading GM adds former Tesla, Lyft executive Jonathan McNeill to board